Photo courtesy of vikings.com
As a continued sign that the NFL waits for no one, a string of retirements have hit close to home this week. Today, long time great defensive tackle Kevin Williams signed a one day contract and retired a Minnesota Viking.
Williams was drafted 10th overall by the Vikings after ‘passing’ to make their selection when on the clock for the 7th overall pick. Although we might never truly understand what caused that confusion, you can’t argue that Williams was a fantastic pick for the organization.
Playing 11 seasons with the Vikings, Williams was a 6 time pro bowler and currently ranks 8th all time with 60 sacks. As one half of the ‘Williams Wall,’ Williams helped anchor the Vikings defensive line that was stingy against the run and ranked 1st, 1st and 2nd from 2006-2009.
Always well respected across the organization, General Manager Rick Spielman added the following via a press release from the team:
“Kevin was one of the most respected players in Vikings history by his teammates and by opponent. He set a high standard for himself and led by example instead of words. We thank him for everything he gave the Vikings and the legacy he leaves.”
Loved by coaches, teammates and Vikings brass alike, Williams will be known for years to come as a Viking great. Do you think Williams had a Hall of Fame career?
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Widely respected as the best "3 technique" DT in the NFL during his career with the Vikes. I don't know if that qualifies him for the hall. But, he has my vote. Thanks Kevin!
Sure have missed the willams wall pat retired a Viking and now Kevin I'm glad to here it thanks Kevin
Happy retirement KWill, you were one of the best.
In 2003 Dwayne Robertson, Jonathan Sullivan, KW, Ty Warren, Jimmy Kennedy and William Joseph were all highly rated D- lineman. We got the right guy! Kevin assumes his place amoung the great Viking tackles that could rush the passer as well as stuff the run. For those about to retire, we salute you.
Just my opinion and I fully accept that I am biased as a Vikings fan and a big fan of Kevin since day one. Nobody could run up the middle with Kevin in the middle, became even foolish to try after the addition of Pat.. That being said, I think that he is deserving of HOF on his first ballot. Perhaps the best interior d linemen of his era. Thanks for being a Viking big guy, and always an honorable and well spoken man while anchoring a very formidable defense.. that is now hopefully returning to the opponent's fear level of your day.
the williams wall was something special. glad we had kwill
Williams is a six-time Pro Bowler and five-time First-Team All-Pro over 13 seasons. John Randle is in the Hall with one more season each in the Pro Bowl, as an All-Pro and playing. The big difference is that Randle has more than twice as many sacks as Williams. I'd say Williams is a borderline HoF candidate.
By the way, I don't think any team in the NFL has had a better set of "3 technique" right defensive tackles over the years than the Vikings. Two Hall of Famers in Alan Page and Randle, possibly a third in Williams, and Keith Millard might have been a forth if he hadn't been injured. Heck, Henry Thomas even made the Pro Bowl filling in for Millard and then made it the next year back at LDT. All-in-all, Page, Millard and Williams are back-ups on the NFL All-Decade Teams for the 1970's (Page should have been a starter over Bob Lilly), 1980's and 20-aughts (Williams should have gotten the nod over Warren Sapp), respectively, while Randle is a starter on the 1990's team.
Right on to every statement you made ck. I was at the game when Millard essentially ended his career, I will never forget it. His own never ending motor was what caused it.. trying to leap over the lineman that he had knocked down, the guy rolled away from him when he was jumping over, and he landed on him awkwardly. If the guy would not have rolled away he would have cleared him and would have been on his way to another sack.